need help integrating gps into netbook

[BigSteve702]

i bought a asus eeepc (900hd) from my work, and im about to grab this:
http://www.frys.com/product/4900291?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
from frys. since it's usb, it shouldn't be too hard to bust it open and solder the chip in it onto a usb hub on the laptop's motherboard. what im wondering is
a) will it get good satellite pickup if it is put inside the laptop, without the long usb cord connected?
b)whats a good free gps software i can use, with voice communication, that has a huge variety of streets and points of interest?

 

[Archangel]

the satelite link shouldnt be affected too much, seeing as a laptop case is just plastic.
The only thing that will make it less good will be the place of the laptop (assuming you use it in a car for example)
I wouldn't place it too far to the back, since the monitor/screen is attached there. but rather in front of the keyboard, next to the mouse. (ofcourse, only if its got space inside there.)
I gues that those eepc thingy's dont have a PCM-CIA slot? because that would make things too easy. (plenty of space in those slots.)

 

[zombine210]

hey, that looks cool, i have a question for you, though.

do you have to pay for satellite service, like a cell phone? or does it automagically just pick up satellite signals and send them to your computer?

thnx

 

[BigSteve702]

hey, that looks cool, i have a question for you, though.

do you have to pay for satellite service, like a cell phone? or does it automagically just pick up satellite signals and send them to your computer?

thnx

nope, dont have to pay a dime. gps is one way communication, so all you do is receive. if you sent out signals, thats when paying money kicks in

to angel- nope, no extra slots. there is a tiny pci express thats taken up by my wireless card. the slot i wanted to hookup the gps to, is taken by my webcam thats built into the shrunk laptop. so ill have to pick a spot to solder it on. its probably going to end up anywhere that fits, which seems like i might score some space right next to one of the screen hinges

so, know of any awesome gps software? i cant find anything free that doesnt look like crap haha

 

[zombine210]

nope, dont have to pay a dime. gps is one way communication, so all you do is receive. if you sent out signals, thats when paying money kicks in

wait, so how exactly does this module work?
don't teh satellites need to know where the module is? doesn't it send out a signal of some sort?

or is it like a scanner, where it picks up a satellite waves? do satellites emit waves? lol

also, it would be cool if you could rig it up to send you emails of where the laptop is, u know in case you lose it or is stolen

 

[BigSteve702]

wait, so how exactly does this module work?
don't teh satellites need to know where the module is? doesn't it send out a signal of some sort?

or is it like a scanner, where it picks up a satellite waves? do satellites emit waves? lol

also, it would be cool if you could rig it up to send you emails of where the laptop is, u know in case you lose it or is stolen

gps is one way communication... the satellites send a signal to you, you dont send anything back. if you WERE to send anything back, you would need a satellite on ground to send back to the satellites in orbit.

you track satellites, and the gps software will determine where you are by the location of the satellites it picks up. no payment required, no service required. you just have to have the right object to receive the signals and track the satellites

also, the satellites have no idea where you are at with gps, since you arent sending any signals back to them. so there is no way to use these gps modules to really retrieve stolen laptops

HOWEVER, i believe there are gps satellites put on ground as well, and the newer cars with gps can send back info to those (like a cellphone) to track a stolen car. i dont know too much about that though

 

[BigSteve702]

so i scored one of the factory refurbished emachines em250 netbooks today for just under 300 after tax. its got a 250gb drive, 1gb ddr2, and the regular intel atom processor and webcam. not bad of a deal, huh?

anyways i got that usb gps receiver as well, it works great. havent gone to the process of integrating it yet, still looking for software to use it on. anybody know of any free gps software? if not, know any CHEAP gps software? it has to be nmea 0183 or newer, cause thats what my receiver is (guess its kinda old?)